For many people, arriving in the UAE is an exciting-yet-daunting process.
Not only are you moving to a new country, but there's often a new culture to embrace, job to start and social circle to build at the same time.
Making new friends can feel scary, especially for those arriving alone. Luckily, the great thing about living in a place like the UAE is that we all already share some vital common ground.
There are plenty of ways to meet people, and have fun while doing so. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Find a Meetup group
Whatever your interest, there's a Meetup group for it. From board games to coffee, music to crypto currency, there are a host of social groups across the emirates that meet regularly to socialise, practise and discuss their hobbies and passions.
Platforms like Meetup and InterNations will show you the calendars for your areas, and you can search for the groups that interest you.
Away from the more specific groups, there are regular meet ups for new arrivals, singles and parents, giving people the chance to mingle and make friends. Most groups are free to join and are a great first step for all new arrivals.
2. Join a sports team
While there is plenty of serious competitive sport here in the UAE, there is also a substantial social league culture. Many people join sports teams when arriving for the sole purpose of making friends, and it truly does not matter if you have never played before or haven’t played in years – there is a league to accommodate all levels and abilities.
From netball to Gaelic football, dragon boating and tag rugby, traditional and non-traditional sports from around the world are played here. Many teams host regular socials and mixers, and take part in competitions around the region. Not only will you get to meet plenty of new people, you'll also be keeping fit in the process.
3. Download an app
Apps have become the go-to dating method for many people around the world, but they are not just for romance. Many traditional dating apps also offer a friendship option so it is not uncommon to use apps in this capacity.
You'll find many people in the same boat, from new arrivals to veterans looking to expand their social circle. Just like with dating, apps can be a less scary way of approaching people at first - giving you the chance to chat before meeting in person. Bumble BFF and Friender are a good place to start.
4. See colleagues outside of work
It might sound like an obvious one, but the friends you make in the workplace can be invaluable when arriving in the UAE. While in your previous jobs and countries, you may have chosen to keep your work and private lives separate, many offices here have a more sociable nature.
If there is someone you get on well with, it’s worth suggesting an after-work activity, a coffee break or a working lunch, if they don’t ask you first. Many offices also have quiz teams or sports teams, so once you’re settled in, start asking around.
5. Find a gym buddy
Gyms are big business here in the UAE, with new ones popping up almost every week. Whether you're looking for a traditional studio, or something more specific such as CrossFit, HIIT, spin or kick-boxing, there are plenty of options across the emirates.
Many offer classes or boot camp programmes, which can be a great way to get chatting to people, especially if you go regularly. Many residents are open to finding a gym buddy, not only to make working out a little more bearable but to also help keep them motivated.
Haddins Gym in Abu Dhabi is particularly friendly and sociable, as is Warehouse Gym in Dubai. Concept gyms like F45 and Barry's Boot camp are also great for meeting people, as they tend to draw a regular and committed crowd.
6. Join social media groups
Social media groups are a great place to turn to when inevitable first-time queries pop into your head. Good restaurants? Try Best Bites Abu Dhabi. Advice on the best schools? The Real Mums of Dubai will have the answer.
There are dozens of helpful UAE Facebook groups, and they can do more than just answer your burning questions. From women's groups to vegan pages, you'll find dozens of forums on Facebook and Reddit that regularly advertise real-life meetings. People are also generally extremely helpful, so don't be afraid to message someone separately to strike up a conversation that way.
7. Volunteer your time
There is no better way to find like-minded people than through volunteering. Having a shared cause you are passionate about will give you an instant way to bond, and plenty to keep you talking.
Here in the UAE, there are lots of ways to volunteer. From regular beach cleans to early morning turtle patrols, these altruistic activities will keep you safe in the knowledge that in addition to socialising, you will also be doing something worthwhile in the process.
A version of this article was first published in 2019
The 12
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
More on animal trafficking
pakistan Test squad
Azhar Ali (capt), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari
more from Janine di Giovanni
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Company%20profile
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If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
Cricket World Cup League 2 Fixtures
Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
